Championship rematch finishes level

USL First Division

Having just received the news that they had lost standout goalkeeper Scott Vallow to a ruptured bicep, the Rochester Rhinos played host Friday night to the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps in a rematch of last year's final with an untested goalkeeper between the posts.

It was the defense, however, that the Whitecaps took advantage of to take an early lead nine minutes in when Martin Nash sent a great through ball to Joey Gjertsen breaking in space. Vancouver's top scorer last season netted his first goal this season as he beat keeper Chase Harrison with a well-placed shot low to the far post from the edge of the area.

Six minutes into the second half Nash extended to clear a corner kick, but only managed to get enough of the ball to head it straight up in the air. Rochester's Scott Palguta knocked Nash down from behind and controlled the ball to the right of goal. The big defender then blasted an eight-yard shot past goalkeeper Tony Caig on the near side for the equalizer.

Friday, May 4

Puerto Rico Islanders 0 at Carolina RailHawks 0

In their first visit to expansion Carolina, the Islanders played to a scoreless stalemate with Josh Saunders posting six saves for the visitors and Chris McClellan five for the home side in the shutout performances.

Saturday, May 5

Montreal Impact 1 at Miami FC 0

Playing with a man advantage for the second half after Miami's John Pulido was sent off before the break, the visiting Impact took advantage in the 69th minute when Fred Moojen set up Charles Gbeke, who was all alone in front of goal for the winner. Matt Jordan needed just two saves for the clean sheet.

Carolina RailHawks 0 at Atlanta Silverbacks 2

Having finished out of the playoffs last year, the Silverbacks are off to a hot start this season with a 2-0-2 mark. The hosts got on the board first when Justin Moore was taken down in the box and David Hayes converted the ensuing penalty at the 18-minute mark. Moore provided the offense officially three minutes into the second when he put away a ball that was laid off by Rodrigo Rios on a breakaway. Felipe Quintero posted five saves in the shutout.

Portland Timbers 0 at Seattle Sounders 1

Always a heated affair between the rivals, the pair met for the first time after seeing star players Andrew Gregor, now with Portland, and Hugo Alcarez-Cuellar, the all-time Timbers assist leader, switch sides. Twenty minutes in Sounders midfielder Josh Gardner intercepted a pass and beat Portland defender Scot Thompson along the left side. Gardner then crossed a dangerous ball into the penalty box to forward Nathan Knox for what proved to be the winner.

Sunday, May 6

Rochester Rhinos 1 at Charleston Battery 1

Youngster Gordon Chin wasted no time in posting the opening strike of the match. Byron Alvarez knifed through the Rochester (1-1-2) back line. Alvarez found a slashing Luke Vercollone, who gently laid the ball off for Chin. Chin took a touch and perfectly placed his shot from just inside the penalty area to the far post three minutes in. Johnny Menyongar beat two and put a bouncing shot on goal from outside of the penalty area. Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock, who had not been considerably bothered for most of the night, managed to get across the goal and get a hand on the ball but it was not enough. The ball deflected off the top of Hudock's hand and off the far post and into the goal in the 58th for the tie.

Vancouver Whitecaps 2 at Minnesota Thunder 1

The defending champs pushed their record to 2-0-2 with a late 88th minute winner from Steve Klein. Former Thunder midfielder Jay Alberts gave the visitors the initial lead five minutes into the second half. The strike of the game came from Freddy Juarez, who put the home side level with an excellent shot from the top of the box that bent into the far upper corner.

USL Second Division

The Charlotte Eagles fell short in a 4-3 thriller at Harrisburg Saturday night in which Adam Ruud scored twice for the visitors and David Schofield set up a pair of goals for the City Islanders, who had four different scorers. In Friday's lone game, Cleveland won the battle of expansion sides 4-0 over Crystal Palace Baltimore, who also fell in a narrow 1-0 decision on an 87th minute strike to Cincinnati Saturday. The defending champion Richmond Kickers were 2-1 winners at Wilmington behind a goal and assist from Ricky Schramm. Western Mass and New Hampshire played to a 1-1 draw.

USL Premier Development League

The St Louis Lions were one of the hottest teams at the close of last season having gone their last 12 without a loss only to finish five points out of the playoffs. St Louis kept the run going with a 3-2 win in their opener against the expansion Springfield Demize. The El Paso Patriots and Austin Lightning split in their opening pair of games and the expansion Mississippi Brilla rallied for a 1-1 draw against New Orleans. Bakersfield nipped usual powerhouse Orange County 1-0 while the defending Southwest champs Southern California fell 2-0 to Fresno.